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Your Stories
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Our advocates have powerful stories about why they became advocates for better bone health and how they have overcome the challenges of living with or caring for someone with osteoporosis.
Share Your Story and Make a Difference Stories are a powerful way to show policymakers the impact that osteoporosis has on their constituents and their community because they showcase the human side of the disease.Please share your story about living or caring for someone with osteoporosis. |
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Meet Linda Johnson from Brentwood, Maryland
After suffering several painful fractures, Linda Johnson was finally diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 43. While at first relieved to have a diagnosis, Linda was devastated when she learned that because she was premenopausal there was little her doctor could do to help prevent future bone loss. That was back in 1991. Today, Linda has found an exercise and treatment plan that works and is an advocate for better bone health. On May 21, 2009 Linda shared her compelling story at a congressional briefing hosted by NOF, in conjunction with the National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases (Bone Coalition), to engage Congress in an action plan for making bone health a national priority.
“Someone once asked me if osteoporosis hurts. I had to think about it for a moment, and then I told her that osteoporosis is called the “silent disease” because, like termites in a house, we do not hear these termites as they eat away at the foundation of our homes. It isn’t until the beams holding our homes together are weakened and our home starts to fall down that we suddenly hear and see the problem. Osteoporosis is silent, and often painless, while our bones are quietly becoming weaker, until it screams at you with the pain of your first fracture.” Read more...
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Meet Meet Alice V. Roberts from Cottonwood, Arizona
Alice was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 1991, 11 years after having a hysterectomy and no hormone replacement therapy because of side effects. In 2004, when she had to go on long-term disability, she decided to write a book, Living Day to Day with Severe Osteoporosis-What Every Person Should Know Regardless of Age. The focus of the book is on living with osteoporosis and preventing and treating the disease.
“After learning that I had to go on disability, I spent six weeks sadly wondering why it had to be me, and then I realized I could speak out about this disease. After all, I had been dealing with the challenges of living with osteoporosis for years. I became an advocate for NOF and started a support group in my local community of Cottonwood, Ariz. I even wrote a book.” Read More... |

Alice V. Roberts |
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Meet Lee Bursley from Newport, Rhode Island
Lee Bursley was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of 55. After the initial shock, Lee, who has a background in social work, became busy raising awareness about osteoporosis and bone health. Lee, pictured third from the left in the top row with the support group she leads, was empowered by her osteoporosis diagnosis to make a difference.
“As a social worker, I knew that advocacy can have a powerful impact on raising awareness and on public education… How do I find time to be a bone health advocate? I don’t find time. I make time. Being a bone health advocate is a priority for me. It helps give meaning and purpose to my experience of being a person living with osteoporosis.” Read More... |

Lee Bursley speaks at a Strong Voices for Strong Bones Advocacy Training Meeting in Newport, R.I. |
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Meet Dana Kurland from Tucson, Arizona
Dana Kurland was diagnosed with osteoporosis when she was very young, and has been fighting back ever since. Her efforts to improve her bone density and to raise awareness in her community about bone health and osteoporosis make her an outstanding advocate for better bone health. Dana, pictured right with her father, was empowered by her osteoporosis diagnosis to make a difference.
"It is very important to me to be an advocate for osteoporosis since I personally have suffered from the disease and know how it can affect one's quality of life." Read More... |

Dana Kurland with her father at at a Strong Voices for Strong Bones Advocacy Training Meeting in Tempe, Ariz. |
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